Background:Silicosis is an ancient occupational illness reported in silica mill workers, agate stone workers, slate pen workers and mining industry. However its association in flour mill workers has not been established.Aims:To study the incidence of silicosis and respiratory morbidity in flour mill workers.Settings and Design:A prospective study of 56 flour mill workers working with open silica grinding stones was undertaken.Materials and Methods:56 flour mill workers who volunteered following information regarding the study purpose were recruited from the community. Detailed clinical and occupational history, lung functions, chest x-ray, and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were done. Diagnosis was made on the basis of radiological findings.Statistical Analysis:Data analysis was done with the help of the statistical package for social sciences software. The Chi-square test was used for determining the relationship between qualitative data and descriptive statistics was used where required.Results:93% had respiratory symptoms that included cough (66.1%), dyspnea (75%), chest pain (17.1%), and rhinorrhea (46.4%). Radiological abnormalities were noted in chest X-ray (60.7%) and HRCT (81.48%). A significant correlation was seen between duration of exposure and HRCT abnormalities. Lung functions revealed obstruction in 28.5% subjects, restriction in 19%, mixed ventilatory defects in 21.4%, while 18.9% had a reduced diffusion capacity.Conclusion:Incidence of silicosis in our study on flour mill workers working with silica containing grinding stones was 30.4%. They had high respiratory morbidity (93%) cough and dyspnea being predominant symptoms. Duration of exposure correlates with radiological findings and increased incidence of silicosis.

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Introduction : Economic growth, better per capita income and a westernized lifestyle has increased the prevalence of metabolic disorders like hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and obesity in developing countries including India. Sleep Disordered Breathing has been found to be increasingly associated with obesity and hypertension. The incidence and prevalence of SDB in India remains to be fully investigated. In the study an attempt was made to elucidate the true extent and magnitude of association between sleep disordered breathing and hypertension in Indian context. Materials and Methods: 80 patients were enrolled from the Chest Clinic of a tertiary hospital from 2003 till 2005. Patients underwent clinical interview (questionnaire), physical examination, blood pressure measurement and routine investigations. Overnight sleep study was carried out using E series EEG/PSG Compumedics machine (Compumedics, Australia) at the sleep lab.Results : Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as prevalence of hypertension increased significantly with increasing SDB. High body mass index may be a confounding factor in the analysis. OSAHS has been identified as an independent risk factor for hypertension, with a linear relationship between hypertension and OSAHS. AHI was strongly associated with self reported history of snoring (p=0.007). Conclusion :Our findings suggest that sleep disordered breathing is associated with systemic hypertension in middle and older individuals.